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Cross-Body Backpack

I have loads of bags. Big, small, bright, dark, simple, complex, straps, no straps. But I almost never have the exact bag I need or want for any given occasion. I have a similar issue with jackets, but that’s another story.

You know from my Passport Wallet that I’m heading out of town on an adventure soon. I needed a small backpack that would hold a waterproof case I have. I wanted something with one cross-body strap so it couldn’t fall off (or be pulled off) easily. To the drawing board…

This is more of an intermediate skill level project than some of my previous tutorials. The supplies you’ll need are:

Fold top edge of pocket under 1/2″, then fold toward right side 1″. Stitch each side 1/2″ away from edge.

Clip corners and turn. Stitch near fold on inside.

Sew Velcro to front of pocket, about 1/4″ from top edge. Fold remaining raw edges under 1/2″ and press.

Position pocket with bottom edge 3″ from fold at the bottom of the body piece. Pin and stitch sides and bottom.

Attach flap to pocket by sticking Velcro together. Turn the upper edge of the flap under 1/4″ and stitch close to fold. Stitch again 1/4″ from fold.

Fold body right sides together. Mark 1″ from bottom edge and 2 1/2″ from top on side you want the zipper. Stitch that side 1/2″ away from edge, switching to a basting stitch between the marks.

Press the seam open. Center the zipper over the seam on wrong side, with ends of zipper at marks. Stitch around zipper on the right side. Maybe a little straighter and less wonky than the photo below. Remove basting stitches from the seam over the zipper.

Unzip the zipper.

Position strap with the lining facing the back of the bag, raw edges even and left edge next to the side seam. Lay the front side of the bag over the top. Pin in place.

Cut a piece of the nylon webbing 16″. Lay that in the lower corner of the bag to the inside, so the end will be stitched into the seam.

Stitch top and side. Finish edges with a zigzag stitch.

Turn bag right side out through zipper. Add male end of buckle and trim webbing as needed.